In what can only be described as a one-two punch of home-ownership havoc, our washer officially died right on the heels of the big plumbing debacle that we detailed for you guys yesterday. Yup, remember when we mentioned that we hoped it would be a simple and inexpensive fix here? Well, the appliance gods must have been softly giggling as we typed that.

The repair guy took one look at the corroded interior of our old machine (rusted bolts, a broken belt, etc) and said “I could attempt to band-aid this for $200, but I don’t think it would run for very long – honestly, I wouldn’t put another dollar into this machine.” And that was coming from the man who would be taking said money… so… not a good sign. But we definitely appreciated his honesty.

And that’s how we suddenly found ourselves digging back into our “emergency fund” just days after writing a plumbing check to go laundry appliance shopping. We briefly considered trying to get something secondhand (from the ReStore, Craigslist, etc) but we decided that to spend once on something for the long haul would be more settling than getting another “in the meantime” fix and hoping it held out. So after checking out a few online appliance outlets, as well as some mainstream big box stores to see what was on the market, we hit the streets to check things out in person.

We had actually been looking forward to the eventual laundry appliance hunt, because we knew someday we’d get to upgrade these guys (the repairman guessed our washer was over twenty years old, so that’s a pretty good run!) but it was certainly nothing we expected to be embarking on so close to our little plumbing snafu.

When we moved in, we’d daydream about getting what I affectionately call “mac daddy appliances” someday (both in the kitchen and the laundry area) all of which would be pretty and sparkly and have all of the features we’d ever wanted (like projecting laser shows on the ceiling and making us waffles). Okay, maybe those last two are a stretch, but this sudden rush to get a working washer while our laundry piled up wasn’t the scenario we originally pictured ourselves shopping under (“what do you mean I can’t wait for a Presidents Day sale???”).

Luckily John’s parents welcomed us into their laundry room to do a couple of loads to tide us over while we researched and price-compared (and you better believe I asked John to do those loads so that if something broke he would be the one answering for it). Thankfully, we were able to catch up to our quickly-growing piles, and nothing broke on our watch.

We have sort of a new appliance mantra in this house, which is essentially that this time around we don’t want to just chase a deal. We want to do more research, be open to spending a bit more than before, and really think about the features we’ll enjoy and use, because we plan to be here for decades.

We got one of the best deals of our life on our last washer/dryer purchase because we selected the most heavily discounted models on the showroom floor (they were the same brand as our first set, which we liked, so it seemed like a no-brainer). But while we don’t regret the savings (nearly 50% off!), or the quality of them (they worked great for us), we did sacrifice some features in those heavily-discounted models that we ended up missing over time – like a digital display that showed the amount of time left in the cycle, for example. A little thing, yes, but something in retrospect that we would’ve paid extra for – especially since we had it in our first home’s washer & dryer, so we knew what we were missing.

After a ton of discussion and research, we narrowed our search criteria to the following:

A Top-Loading washer. We liked our last two front-loaders a lot, but with our existing set-up we’ve both enjoyed not bending over as much. And we didn’t like having to keep up with mildew maintenance on our two previous front-loaders (we’d take time to wipe it down, leave the door open to air it out, and occasionally run Affresh tablets through it) which we understand is a persistent problem in front loaders. Plus, top-loaders now come in high efficiency versions which minimize front-loaders’ previous advantages of load size, spin speed, and water usage.

Whirlpool or Maytag. Both brands are made by the same folks who made our last two washers & dryers, which worked really well for us (Whirlpool Corp). We also heard from lots of you that brands like GE and LG can be expensive to repair (and boy did we have repair costs on the brain!) while many of you agreed that Whirlpool/Maytag did you right (like on this comment thread for example). Plus, we liked our last two Whirlpool Duets and the top loading washer in this house that we’re replacing is a Maytag (that thing lasted 20+ years, so it definitely was reassuring).

The ability to silence the buzzer. Again, it’s a little detail, but our current dryer doesn’t let us disable the crazy loud and annoying buzzer that shouts at us three times as a cycle comes to an end. So we couldn’t run it during Clara’s nap for fear that it would jolt her awake since it’s just down the hall from her door.

A digital display. Mainly for the cycle time countdown mentioned above. What can I say, we’re divas for the are-we-there-yet how-much-longer details.

A dryer with steam. We just heard good things about that throughout our research and it sounded like a feature we might actually enjoy and use.

Our search first lead us to this model (here’s the washer & the dryer) because it’s a Whirlpool and actually very similar to what we used at John’s parents house (they’ve had theirs around a year and have really enjoyed them so far). They each earned a 4.5 star review on Home Depot’s website too, so that was reassuring.

We narrowed our shopping zone down to Home Depot and Lowe’s, since we’ve had success there in our previous appliance hunts (prices from other vendors like Best Buy, HH Gregg, and sites like Whirlpool Outlet didn’t get as low as theirs for the same models) and both of our previous laundry sets were from Lowe’s.

The sale prices shown above and below are from both stores who each had them marked down 10% below MSRP and were running a 10%-off-all appliances promotion, which could be stacked. They also both were offering free delivery and haul away, and would honor 5% off if we used our store credit card (the Lowe’s card does it automatically, and if you ask Home Depot to do it at the register they should be able to manually apply that in the interest of “price matching” their competition).

Initially we were torn between the Whirlpool above and this extremely similar model from Maytag (here’s the washer & the dryer).

After hunting for some reason or review that would sway us towards one or the other (they both were very highly rated, had similar capacities, similar Energy Star ratings, and identical price tags), this third option appeared to us at Home Depot (here’s the washer & the dryer). It was just a slight step-down from the ones above (the washer capacity is .3 cubic feet less – oh the sacrifice!) and the front is designed differently (no gray trim, and no window into the dryer). But the price tag promised to save us over $130 between the pair and their online review boasted a nearly 5 star rating – which was better than the other two we had been weighing!

Home Depot carried it in stock (the display price of $724 was before the 10% off promotion was applied) but Lowe’s didn’t. They offered to special order it for us, but they’d only be able to apply one of the 10% discounts. We showed them the printout that Home Depot had given us that showed $651 as the final price (before the additional 5% credit card discount was applied at checkout) and they said they’d price match it. But ultimately we gave our sale to Home Depot, since they were the ones to show us this option first, as well as having it in stock (truth be told, we liked that salesperson better there too, so we wanted him to get the credit).

In case all of those words make your brain hurt and you like images and arrows, here’s a cost breakdown (mostly because John takes great pleasure in making them).

We’re glad that we weren’t forced to pay full price due to being under the gun and needing to replace them rightthissecond instead of waiting for a special holiday sale, but it also felt good to take the time and make a detailed list of what we really wanted this time (and check out a bunch of reviews) instead of jumping on the “this one’s the cheapest” bandwagon. Honestly, even if these were less discounted, the features and reviews probably would have tipped the scales in their favor.

They’re set for delivery a little later today (WAHOOOOOO!) so we should have an update for you next week once they’re here and we’ve taken them for a spin.

We also have some plans for the floor under them in the laundry nook (there are actually small scraps of old carpet hiding under the ones we have now). So just cross your fingers that we don’t peel back those carpet scraps under the old washer and dryer to find a giant hole/huge leak/live animal/other debacle lurking. Don’t they say these things happen in threes? Le yipes.

Psst- None of the links in this post are affiliate links. Also, your hair looks pretty and I like your smile.

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As a little Friday bonus, here are four fun projects, chats, or questions going on over on the Forums. We also announced this week’s giveaway winner, so you can click here (and scroll down to the Rafflecopter box) to see if it’s you.

We love our top loader! My husband and I did a lot of research after our washing machine over flowed a few times on our first floor (which meant it was raining in our basement). I love that we went for upgrades and even splurged on getting the dark gray versions over white because we’re so cool like that. Not really. Lastly, with a new baby on the way Sherry, I’m sure you’ll love the features for cloth diapering! I want to hug my washer every time I do a load.

I totally second the comment about the cloth diapers. We had to buy a new w&d for our new house and specifically went with top loaders for the cloth diapers. They are so easy to wash and even though they are high efficiency, we don’t have any issues with water levels. Y’all are going to love these!

We have the Bravos as well. We got them about 5.5 years ago and boy have they come down in price! We have five kids and cloth diaper AND have a tenant using the machines as well and they’ve been great. Good choice!

I just replaced my Whirlpool Cabrio washer TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS. I put into it in repairs over it’s 5 1/2 year life almost as much as I paid for it in the first place. Wouldn’t recommend that washer to my worst enemy.

I think you must have gotten a lemon! I’ve had my whirlpool cabrio washer and dryer since they first came out and not a problem!

Good luck with the maytag. I am very anti-maytag since my top of the line dishwasher and washing machine both flooded my house within a week. Both appliances were less than 2 years old. Water damage is the worst….

Maytag has always been a washer & dryer manufacture. When they branched out to other appliances, stoves/ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, etc. they are not that well made. We had a Maytag refrigerator that constantly had to be serviced – from day 40 of ownership. The Maytag washer & dryer, never has given us an issue.

It is all confusing too because Maytag, whirlpool, GE, Kenmore, Fridgidare, Electrolux and LG are seem to interchange who makes what.

Sorry that they pooped out on ya but you lucked out with a good, honest repairman. It looks like you guys made a good choice and scored a little savings which is always a winner! May these bad boys live a long time!

Love the look of these units. Do you anticipate having to remove the molding, etc., to get them into place? That’s always a “darn it” moment. I really hate those desperate appliance search-and-purchase situations. My refrig/freezer died in the middle of the summer. No, it couldn’t die in the middle of an ice storm so I could just put everything outside on the deck to stay cold! Thank goodness for friends with freezers (sounds like a bad movie), living nearby. Adding insult to injury, almost no one stocks decent smaller “condo” size refrig/freezers. Can you say “special order?” Agh!

I’m so glad you didn’t go with the WP Cabrio. Mine just died, too! When I took it in, the man said he sees them all the time. It would costs more for the parts than a new one. He said they are terrible washers. So I had to just go spend over $700 on a new one.

Whirlpool actually owns maytag so the cabrio and bravos are the same design. The non-agitator top loaders have been a more troublesome design – especially a few years back – and we would see many people with this design come in to replace 3-4 year old machines that the bearings had gone bad on. We never recommend this design even though we sell all Whirlpool and Maytag machines (they are by far the most American made brand). We usually stick with front loaders for the high efficiency machines. (Sorry! had to share as my family owns an appliance store)

Thanks for the info! Thankfully we have heard from a good number of folks who have these Bravos (and even use them for cloth diapers) who are really happy with them, so we have our fingers crossed like crazy. Will share an update, good or bad!

We inherited my grandparents Kenmore set. They are over 30 years old and still run great! While I don’t want to spend the money, I do get a little excited thinking about the day that they die and I just have to buy new ones. Even though new ones are a ton more efficient, I just can’t justify spending the money until we have to. Hope your new toys make laundry a little more fun!

Congrats on your new appliance purchase! I have the Bravos series washer & steam dryer. They are nearly 3 yrs old. Totally happy with them. The steam dryer is an amazing thing!! Hope you’re thrilled with yours as well :-) !!

I really like the cost breakdown graphic! It provided a little clarity for my sleepy brain this morning. We got a high efficiency top loader last year and we have been very pleased with it. I hope you enjoy yours. Quick question, where did you guys get the white hamper? The one in the picture of John doing laundry at his parents?

Seriously, this whole debacle is one of the awful trials of home ownership. And TRUST, I’ve been there, I feel ya.
But the best part of this post was you acknowledging my hair! How did you know I needed that pick-me-up today ;)
Hang on guys, and enjoy that inaugural laundry load – nothing feels better!

We have the same set and they are awesome! They even make these adorable little dinging sounds when you are selecting a wash which somehow puts me in a good mood despite having to do laundry. Its the little things!

Great choice! I’ve had a similar whirlpool Cabrio set for about 3 years now and they are probably my favorite appliances! Ours doesn’t have the windows but I honestly have never minded that. I’m hooked on the energy efficient top loaders though! It seems to be the best of both worlds, no worrying about the mold/mildew issue but still uses less energy and water.

Oh, I feel your pain. Just a few months ago I came home to a tree in my back yard which I thought i could maybe cut up myself (I like the challenge), but came to my senses and just hired a crew. Upon doing so I realized there were a few other trees that probably needed to come out too so I wasn’t re-doing this in a few months. Thankfully a few smiles and frowns later, the nice tree guy did it for $600. And not 2 days later a glass container fell off a shelf above my toilet (and yes, I left the lid up like an idiot) and shattered the toilet bowl. Like nothing you’ve ever seen before. HUGE chunk out of the toilet bowl. Keep in mind this is a bathroom that I’d torn down to the studs and re-tiled, sheetrocked, painted, replaced all toilet, sink, hardware, everything just this past April. So I also got to go to HD and buy a new toilet. Thankfully I was able to install that bad boy myself, but geez!

Glad you guys found a good deal! Here’s hoping nothing else happens and it’s smooth sailing from here out!! :)

Shattered the toilet? Oh my goodness, that’s insane and I never would have imagine that could happen! We’ve had problems lately, too..our dishwasher caught on fire! So, we’re also appliance hunting. Good job, John and Sherry, for finding a great product on such short notice!http://lovinghere.com/weekend-rewind-dishwasher-disaster-edition/

My sister had the toilet bowl shatter too, but it was from dropping the lid of the tank on it. (Butterfingers when trying to fix it from constantly running). Luckily she was in there to shut off the water behind the toilet! So sorry to hear about your damage!

Looks like you did the best research you could on a tight timeline. I hope the Maytags will be good to you!! I don’t mean to be doom and gloom but my FIL always says that things like this happen in 3’s. I hope that’s not the case for you all! Yay for ER funds though!

Haha, yup! We have been having such bad luck with things rebelling that I worried the curse of threes would carry over into John’s parents’ house and I would touch them and they’d self destruct! Thankfully mah man doesn’t mind doing laundry ;)

We switched to a HE top loader after our front loader started to make our clothes smell (and this is with impeccable maintenance), and have been pretty happy. My only gripe is that it takes some practice to learn how to balance the loads… otherwise the thing starts walking away, then errors. Just a heads up.

I know that you guys get a ton of comments, so I hardly do; but this post rocked my socks–we just built a house and just recently made the decisions on appliances. My husband looves the front loading look, but for all of the reasons that you stated above, most importantly the mildew and smell maintenance, I convinced him to do top loading.

Just love when my morning blog read reaffirms my original thinking. Sounds small, but it’s a great way to end the week after big decisions.

About

Hey, we're Sherry & John. This is where we chronicled 7 years of our lives as we fixed up 3 homes, had 2 children, became accidental authors and product designers, and shared our adventures (and misadventures) with the world. Now it's a time capsule of sorts, complete with nearly 3,000 posts, projects, and updates.